[Grammar] Gerund

[shibli.aftab]

"Investigating how the womb works is the priority at a new research centre dedicated to understanding the problems experienced in childbirth and labour."

My questions are about above sentence....

1. Are "investigating" and " understanding" a gerund?

2. Can we put "understand" at the place of "understanding" without changing the meaning of the sentence?

Please explain.

 

[Raymott]

"Investigating how the womb works is the priority at a new research centre dedicated to understanding the problems experienced in childbirth and labour."

My questions are about above sentence....

1. Are "investigating" and " understanding" gerunds? Yes

2. Can we put "understand" at the place of "understanding" without changing the meaning of the sentence?

Please explain.

No you can't replace the gerund with a verb. You can say:
"The centre is dedicated to understanding ..."
"The goal of the centre is to understand ..."

 

[shibli.aftab]

If we put "understand" at the place of "understanding", then what will be the differences in the meaning of the original sentence and rephrased sentence?

 

[5jj]

The rephrased sentence will be incorrect. Raymott told you, "... you can't replace the gerund with a verb."

 

[shibli.aftab]

If i am insisting to use "understand" then what should be the sentence?
Thanks

 

[Raymott]

If i am insisting to use "understand" then what should be the sentence?
Thanks

I've told you.
"Investigating how the womb works is the priority at a new research centre whose goal is to understand the problems experienced in childbirth and labour."
Try not to use words like "insisting, demanding", etc. about what you're going to do. It's more polite to say, "If I wanted to use 'understand'...."
If you 'insist' on doing something a certain way, you risk being told to make your own sentences then.

 

[5jj]

If i am insisting [STRIKE]to use[/STRIKE] "understand" ,,,

If I am insisting on using ...